Invasive species risk a biodiversity disaster – but there is still time to stop it

Native to South and Central America, cane toads are an invasive species in most regions they have been introduced. Seregraff/Shutterstock

Earth’s habitats are facing a big increase in the number of alien species they have to deal with.

These are organisms transported beyond their original habitats as a result of human activities, where they survive and establish new populations. They’re sometimes called exotic, non-native or introduced species.